Fuel Discount Scheme

HC Deb 29 January 1979 vol 961 c343W

Mr. Wyn Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Energy why the fuel discount scheme is confined to electricity users, and gas users are excluded.

Dr. John Cunningham

On average low income groups spend a higher proportion of their income on electricity than on other fuels and since 1973 electricity consumers have been particularly hard hit by the increase in fuel bills.

There are also good administrative reasons for linking any scheme to a fuel bill and almost everyone uses electricity. Users of all types of fuel who are eligible can use the £5 payment part of the scheme towards the cost of any bill.